- Jan 1 Martinus Beijerinck, Dutch microbiologist and botanist (b. 1851)
- Jan 3 Joseph J C Joffre, French marshal, dies at 78
- Jan 4 Art Acord, American silent film actor and rodeo champion (Arizona Kid, Hard Fists), dies at 40
- Jan 9 Claude Anet [Jean Schopfer], French writer (La fille perdue), dies
- Jan 9 Wayne Munn, wrestler (b. 1896)
- Jan 11 Oscar Fetras, composer, dies at 76
- Jan 11 James Milton Carroll, American Baptist pastor, leader, historian, and author (b. 1852)
- Jan 14 William Ernst Johnson, British mathematician, dies
- Jan 21 Felix Blumenfeld, Russian composer, conductor and pianist, dies at 67
- Jan 22 Alma Rubens, American actress (b. 1897)
- Jan 23 Anna Pavlova, Russian prima ballerina and choreographer (Diaghilew, Dying Swan), dies from pneumonia at 49